Azad Championship Report: Marquez: "I'm coming to take Viloria's title in a war or die in the ring"

Finally after several postponements and changes in venue, Hernan “Tyson” Marquez meetsBrian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloriain a WBA/WBO flyweight title unification fight. The much anticipated fight (I had hoped to attend this fight on a recent visit to America when the fight was originally scheduled for 29thSeptember, even extending my stay accordingly) now takes place at the L.A. Sports Arena (formerly the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, the first event at the celebrated arena was actually in 1959 when Jose Becerra stopped Alphonse Halimi for the World Bantamweight Championship). It marks the first time since 1965 (whenSalvatore Burrunireigned as the WBC/WBA champion) that so much has been on the line – not to mention their places - in flyweight history. Both fighters are desperate to win when they finally meet on 17 November. The 24-year-old Marquez hasn’t had the busiest of years, taking on a pair non-title bouts to keep him sharp leading him into the fight. The Mexican is currently 34-2 (25) and ranked at number one at 112 pounds byThe Ring magazine.

Anson Wainwright -You meet Brian Viloria in a flyweight title unification. What are your thoughts on this fight?

AW –This fight has beenpostponed several times. Has this been a problem to you?

HM – No, it wasn’t such a big deal. It was a little bit of destruction but the truth of it is, I planned to fight. I took a bit of time off and went to Mexico. I did my running in peace and quiet. It was a bit of a delay but that’s how it goes.

AW -You have seen Viloria fight before. What do you see when you watch him, his strengths and weaknesses?

HM - He really only has one combination, a left hook followed by a right cross, and that’s really all he has. That’s about the only thing I’m afraid of. He always slows down after the sixth and seventh round and that’s when I have to pressure him because he lacks heart to some degree.

AW -Could you tell us about your training for this fight? Where have you trained, how long and what are some of the things you have done?

HM – [Marquez’s trainer] Robert Garcia, for having trained Viloria for a few fights, knows him extremely well, knows what his points of weakness are. I’m positive I’m going to win because I’ll know him well when we fight.

AW -Without looking past this fight, are you looking at moving up to super flyweight after the fight?

HM - My whole focus, everything that I care about right now, is Viloria. If I beat Viloria, I want to unify the titles. I want three titles if not four. I want to unify the whole division.

AW -Though you have fought twice this year, they have been non-title fights. Has this year been tough for you not being able to defend your WBA title?

HM - I’m OK; I’m fine. I didn’t have the opportunity I’d have liked to have defended the title. I’m tranquil; I’m OK and just happy to be fighting now.

AW -You were born and still live in Empalme. Could you tell us about your early years growing up? Were things tough for you and your family?

HM – Very, very difficult. I didn’t know my dad until I was 16,17 years old. I was raised by my mother and my grandmother. I was working from the time I was 10 or 11; I was working in bakeries mostly. It was very difficult but now I have become world champion. Things are getting a little bit better.

AW -What are your thoughts on the other flyweight champions like the WBC’s Toshiyuki Igarashi and the IBF’s Moruti Mthalane?

HM - I don’t know either of them very well. I’ve definitely never seen the WBC titlist, the IBF titlist only a few times. Right now, the most important thing is Brian Viloria. If I can beat him, the other titles will come much more easily.

AW -Tell us about your life away from boxing, if you could mention your family, hobbies and interests.

HM - I’m a father of three; I have three boys. I go to the beach. If I go on vacation for 15 days, 13 of them are at the beach; it’s always the beach. I don’t live with my grandmother anymore but I go visit her almost every day. I love to walk around the neighborhood, see friends I’ve had my whole life. I play soccer; I also play baseball. I’m just a normal guy.

AW -Though you’re still young, do you have any plans on what you may do when you retire from boxing? Are you going to school? Do you have any qualifications, own a business or have plans to buy one?

HM - I’m very, very lucky. I have my house, land, my own property. I’ve just got a gym I’m opening in Hermosillo. I’m only 24; I’m thinking maybe by the time I’m 30, I’ll retire. I’ll have my own gym, my own business and maybe I’ll be a commentator.

AW -In closing do you have a message for Viloria?

HM - I hope you prepare very well because I’m coming to take your title in a war or die in the ring.

Special thanks to my good friend, Bart Barry, who translated this interview.